Children in Need

Millions of children and families have been devastated by natural disasters, poverty and forced migration in Odisha, one of India’s poorest states. After the super-cyclone blasted Odisha's coast in 1999, years of drought, flooding and even more cyclones have left Odisha with thousands of destroyed villages, countless casualties and virtually no social services. Among the living, the surviving children have been hit the hardest, left without basic care or the opportunity for an education.
Who will support Odisha's impoverished children, and give them a foundation for the future?

More than a Dream

On a rainy day in September 2002, over one hundred educators from Odisha gathered in an old building under a tarpaulin roof to dream and plan for the little ones of Odisha...

Almost two years later, on July 29, 2004, Hariharananda Balashram was founded with the support of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, whose love for children and education has translated the educators' dream into a reality. This nonsectarian school is named after his beloved master, Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who educated and cared for many poor children during his life.

The school is located on 9.9 acres in the beautiful little village of Arua, surrounded by lush green paddy land, mud huts and picturesque rural villages. Arua is in the Kendrapara District of Odisha, India.

Today, Hariharananda Balashram houses 476 children of Odisha who receive quality care and education free of charge. The school has obtained Composite Provisional Affiliation for Secondary School from Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi (Affiliation No.: 1530184 valid till 31/03/2017).

The school prepares students for higher studies and offers vocational and life skills training so that students are well-equipped to assume a meaningful role in society. Forty children are admitted each year, ages 4 to 5, and currently the school has 476 students.

Guided by a commitment to excellence, Hariharananda Balashram utilizes the best eastern and western methods of education to create a dynamic and loving environment for the children’s development. Its holistic approach provides a balanced and nurturing foundation for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth of the child. The school helps each child reach his or her highest potential.

The school encourages every student to dream of the life that they choose and to make it a reality. The school logo, reflecting this spirit, proclaims Make Your Dream A Reality. more..

Name of Trust/Society/Company Registered under section 25 of the Company Act, 1956.: Prajnana Mission
Period upto which registration of Trust/ Society is valid: Eternal

Name of Trust/Society/Company Registered under section 25 of the Company Act, 1956.: Prajnana Mission

Health and Medical check up : The school has been organizing regular health check-up of the students. Through the Village Health Project organized by Hariharananda Charitable Health Center, health camps are conducted in the school. Doctors have been visiting to the school on Wednesdays and Fridays. As and when required, children are referred to specialist doctors in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack and Shishu Bhavan, Cuttack. School has an ambulance for transporting students to hospitals.
Dental camps are organized on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Eye check-up camps are also organized once in a month by Dr. Debabrata Sahani, eye specialist. The school has two nurses (ANM) and a pharmacist who take care of the health of the children.

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Almost two years later, on July 29, 2004, Hariharananda Balashram was founded with the support of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, whose love for children and education has translated the educators' dream into a reality.

This nonsectarian school is named after his beloved master, Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who educated and cared for many poor children during his life.